Obituary of John Kihura Gikonyo

John’s family will receive guests at the HighPoint Church (4187 Landon Avenue, Iowa City) on Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 9-10:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am, also at the church. John will then be laid to rest at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. -A Time for All Seasons- -A Time to Be Born- John Leo Kihura Gikonyo, fondly called JK by family and friends, was born in Wanjohi, Nyandarua District in Kenya on 24th October 1967 to Nephat Gikonyo and the late Paulina (nee Kihura) Gikonyo. He was the fifth child in a family of nine. -A Time for Growing- John committed his life to Christ at an early age. He started School at Munyuini Primary School and proceeded to Nairobi School where he excelled very well in his academics. He got admission at the University of Nairobi in Kenya where he attained an undergraduate Engineering degree and Masters of Science in Agricultural Engineering with Computer modeling respectively. He started his PhD. Studies at the University of Nairobi and also worked in many projects in Kenya under the National Research Monitoring and Management. John was also a brilliant Programmer and developed software to run simulations for the Research Center. -A Time to Build up- In the year 2005 John migrated to the United States. John had an inquisitive and studious mind and attained another Master’s Degree in Health Informatics and was working on his PhD through the University of Iowa at the time of his transition. John worked as a web developer for T.D. Jakes Ministries in Texas and held several IT positions at the University of Iowa. He was an IT Support Consultant in the office of Teaching, Learning, &Technology, Instructional Services before he transitioned. His career took him to many places: Chicago, Dallas, Iowa City and finally to Coralville. -A Time to have fun- When John was not working or with his family, he loved fixing cars, or fixing things in his home. His mind was always moving, and he liked finding ways to optimize systems within the world around him. John also enjoyed watching television. Everything from muscle car shows to wilderness survival programs…even Chuck Norris was in his interests! He also loved the natural world and exercise, often combining the two. He would take walks and record what he saw around him through photography and video. But more importantly, John loved his family and held a deep faith that carried him throughout his life. His strong will and loving personality will be remembered by all who knew him. -A Time to Fly away- On Saturday June 12, 2021 at 5:10 PM John received a call he could not put on hold. He said, “Yes, Abba Father here I come! Surviving John is his cherished wife of 13 years, Rudia, his children: Lina Bridget W. Kihura, Nephat G. Kihura, and Pauline W. Kihura; father, Nephat Gikonyo; siblings, MaryAsumpta, Maryanne (Hebron), George (Esther), Catherine, Janerose, Emilisiana, Benjamin (Maggie), Barnabas (Abrozina); and numerous nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his mother, Paulina. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. -Tributes- “This has been the most difficult thing for me to think through. In the early morning of June 12, 2021, my son John called me and talked to me. We didn’t have a lengthy conversation. But these words were clear: ‘Dad I really wanted to say hi to you.’ He sounded weak and deep in my heart I felt the curtains were closing. John has been one great person. He never let me down as a father. He kept soaring high. From his education to his social life. John always looked for a reason to bring people together. Even when situations were difficult, he still gave it all to facilitate to ensure this happened. As his father I will not complain to God but I will give glory to God. I thank God for the time He gave him to us. I loved him and I will cherish the memories of my son. At this time, I agree with God’s will. Fare thee well my son. We will meet at the appointed time. Fare thee well…… It is well.” Dad. “Dad was the smartest man that I have ever known. Whether it was a car, phone, computer, school, or even business issues, he was the first person I always thought of calling not a mechanic or consultant. He had a simple way of explaining things that just made sense. All it took was sitting down with him and just listen and I just felt understood as a child. Whether the conversation was about hobbies or other interests something would just light up his eyes and he would stop whatever he was doing to talk about them. It was those moments that at that time I took for granted that looking back are the most precious memories.” Nephat “You are the best dad a child can ever ask for. We spent a lot of time on soccer tournaments and those were some of my best father-daughter moments. I love you eternally.” Pauline “ I love you dad and will miss you forever.” Lina “I have no words to express what I feel about this loss. I do still choose to give all the glory to God who gave us the years he did with you, our brother. John you were a wonderful brother. You were very kind and loved to bring all family members together. You were the most selfless person I know. Go well my dear brother. I will always love you.” Your big sister Mama Joan “John you were not just a brother to me but my best friend and confidant. To know you was to love you. You were always no fuss. You were always solution oriented and never complained. You were steadfast in your faith in God even in the midst of the most excruciating pain I have ever witnessed in my life time. God has released you from that now. I will miss the conversations we had when you were healthy about changing our world. Above all I will miss you. I loved you on earth. I will love you eternally. A piece of my heart now lives in heaven.” Your favorite sister Maryanne “You were a fortress of strength and brotherly love. Your kindness and love were appreciated by all in the family. Words fail to describe what you meant to us. We’ll cherish fond memories of you.” George “I will forever be grateful to God for giving our family such a brother and friend. His kindness, humility, and simplicity touched each of us as individuals. He had a way of bringing us together. His ability to create good things from simple things was outstanding…he made it possible for us to listen to music from different rooms from one radio in the house! Truth be told we lost a giant in the family. But then again there is no better place to be than in the loving hands of Jesus where he is now. We loved him but Jesus loved him more.” Catherine “When I first arrived in the USA you welcomed me warmly just like a big brother would. Your love helped me as I navigated a new environment. I am forever grateful I was able to spend time with you a few weeks ago. We talked about God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. We reminisced about life growing up. I will always cherish those moments. You will forever be in my heart my best friend and brother.” Janerose “Our dear brother John, it’s still sounds like a dream that we wish will not come true. The thought that we will not see you again still eludes us! But in all circumstances, we choose to give thanks to God and attest that God is still in control and still reigns on His throne. Though mountains may tremble and sea billows roll we will sing it is well with our souls. We will dearly miss your sweet, humble and lovely self. Thank you so much for the love you gave to all a big statement that indeed love dwelt in you! Go well dear brother, we love you and you remain forever in our hearts! Shalom!” Barnabas “God knew I would need you when he chose you as my uncle. They say time will heal. They say there is a reason. For me neither time or reason will change the way I feel. Gone are the days we used to share. The gates of memories will never close. You were the dad I never had. You cared for me even when you were in pain. You always wanted the best for me and my daughter. You always remembered me on Mother’s Day and bought me flowers. You were unable to do so on Mother’s Day this year because you were in pain. Yet you still called to make sure I was having a good day. I will miss you more than any one can know. Till we meet again. Always and forever. I love you to infinity my uncle dad.” Your niece Pauline Gikony0 “You have been an amazing father figure, a friend, an uncle and so much more. You are our own God’ s given gift that will never be forgotten. You are physically away but you will remain in our hearts forever. I thank God for the time we had with you. You are eternally loved.” Your niece Joan. You and I have built so many beautiful memories together. We prayed together. We cried together. We sat together. You Were the brother from another mother. Jesus has called you home and I had to let you go. Till we meet again brother.” Brother Sunday -Pallbearers- Nephat G. Kihura John Kimani David W. Kimani Nicholas Kagambi Sunday Goshit Samuel W. Kimani Honorary Pallbearers Hebron Matthew Morris Thomas M. Kamau Joseph Kimani Francis Mbugua Lazarus Ngugi Wycliffe Wanyonyi John Gathua Acknowledgments – The family of John Leo Kihura Gikonyo wishes to extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to all of your many acts of kindness, comforting words, and prayers during this time of sorrow. May God bless and sustain each and every one of you “The name of the Lord is a strong ; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” Proverbs 26:10